Lyttle eager to hang on to Sadlier as clubs come sniffing around
SLIGO Rovers manager Gerard Lyttle says he will try his best to hang on to Kieran Sadlier as talk increases of interest in the former Peterborough man from other League of Ireland clubs.
Sadlier has been linked to Cork City for quite some time now, and Lyttle says he rates Sadlier similarly to Seani Maguire.
“There’s been interest ( in Sadlier) since I came in, and it’s been well documented that he’s been linked with a few different clubs so I’m sure it’s still the same. He’s still our player, he’s a valuable player for us and valuable players, you look at Seani Maguire who’s playing for Cork and he’s gone for whatever, we rate Kieran Sadlier the same. He might not have scored as much goals but he is valuable to us, we will hold on to him as best we can,” he said following Saturday night’s 1- 1 draw with Galway United.
The former Cliftonville boss says he is itching for July 1st to arrive as new signings Benny Igiehon and Rhys McCabe will be eligible, along with Gary Armstrong following his loan spell with Ballinamallard.
“It’s bodies for us. We have a lack of bodies in the final third and we can get another couple in as well rather than the guys we have. We’re looking forward to introducing Benny and Rhys, and young Gary’s coming back with a point to prove and hopefully he can step up to the mark. He’s got loads of ability. He’s a player I’ve enjoyed watching in training so far, and he’ll give us a different dimension too,” he said.
Whether or not this squad is strong enough to avoid relegation remains to be seen, but Lyttle concedes that he will need to add players if Rovers are to avoid the drop.
“At this present time I would like to bring players in. I’m not going to lie, you look at the bench and you have very little to choose from in terms of changing games, obviously July coming is really going to help us with the squad and hopefully keep us up.”
Lyttle was left frustrated at Saturday night’s result, and admitted it wasn’t an ideal way to start after the mid- season break.
“Definitely not, we were at home, we wanted to win. We wanted to start off with three points and we didn’t get it. We’re frustrated.
“The team is frustrated and I’m frustrated. At the same time we’ve got to try and stay positive and stay focused. I think when we get the win it will give us a lot of confidence but just at the minute we’re lacking a bit of confidence when it comes to trying to win games.”
Rovers went ahead on ten minutes courtesy of Jonah Ayunga, but Galway were back level when Micheal Schlingermann dropped the ball into the path of Stephen Folan.
Lyttle, though, felt that the Kiltimagh man might have been fouled in the lead up to the goal
“I think we pegged ourselves back more than Galway pegging us back. In the first ten minutes certainly we were putting balls forward quicker in behind their back four and we were creating chances, they looked nervous. Then we score and you’re thinking ‘ we’re going to go in two or three here’ and we started playing meaningless football at the back and didn’t get the ball forward and passing for the sake of passing.
“It was something we spoke about at half- time in terms of getting the ball forward quicker and putting their back four under pressure. I think we need to start doing that, especially at home, we’re taking our foot off the gas and letting teams back into the game.
“It’s the frustrating thing, teams aren’t having to overly work for their goals whereas we’re working our socks off to try and create chances and try and get goals. ( The goal) is probably a mistake. Schlingermann has come through a lot of bodies, he maybe should have tried punched it instead of catching it.
“I believe he was fouled, sometimes you get them and sometimes you don’t. Fair play to him for coming and trying to be brave but maybe the wrong decision in the end.”
He has urged his players, and the Rovers faithful to stick together in order to get out of relegation danger, but he knows he needs goals for that to happen.
“Goals. Just give me goals! We’ve just got to stick together and stay positive. The supporters were brilliant. It’s important that they stick with us and get behind us. I know they will. They’re so important especially when we’re at home. Just try and be patient and hopefully that win isn’t too far away.”
Rovers take on Keith Long’s Bohemian FC on Friday on what is a must win game.
“Every game is big. Today is a big game. We’re disappointed we didn’t get three points. The boys are the same. It’s not just me. The changing room is disappointed too. They’ve organised a day out tomorrow and they’ve cancelled it because they don’t think it’s good enough. I like to hear that - it shows that they care. If I have that I think it’s half the battle.”